Gujjar quota: Bainsla meets Gehlot, says talks positive

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Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla on Wednesday held a meeting with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and termed as "conclusive" the talks on the reservation demand of the community.

After the meeting at Gehlot's residence which lasted over three hours, Bainsla told reporters that the meeting was "conclusive and heading in a positive direction".

He said the government has already agreed to give five percent quota to Gujjars, but execution is still awaited. So he demanded that it should be implemented at the earliest.

However, he did not divulge further details and said he would announce anything regarding the ongoing agitation later.

Other Gujjar leaders said Bainsla was satisfied with the meeting and would discuss with community people at Madanpur near Bayana in Bharatpur later today, after which he might call off the agitation if they agreed.

State Energy Minister Jitendra Singh, Industry Minister Rajendra Pareek and Home Minister Shanti Dhariwal were also present in the meeting.

Bainsla had on Monday given an 'ultimatum' to the state government to take decision on the reservation demand, which ended on Wednesday. He had threatened to intensify the ongoing agitation if the government did not take any substantial move to accord the reservation.

After the meeting, Bainsla left for Bharatpur.

Presently, hundreds of Gujjars are on 'Mahapadav' (sit-in) at Sikandara in Dausa and Madanpur in Bhatpur while a few others at Tonk, Ajmer and Jhunjhunu.

Gujjars are demanding five per cent reservation under SBC which included Bajara, Raika, Rebari and Gadia Luhar community and also a stay on recruitment in state services till the reservation issue resolves.

The High Court-appointed I.S. Israni committee to look into the reservation demand of Gujjars in Rajasthan has also recommended the government to grant quota and special backward class status to the community.

The High Court had last year, however, struck down the five per cent reservation for the community (as recommended by the Jasraj Chopra Committee) observing that the measure would exceed the 50 per cent reservation cap.

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